Game Review

After nine rounds, Fitzroy sat atop the ladder unbeaten - whilst the Blues languished on the bottom with one victory and a draw to their credit. And when Carlton’s star forward Horrie Clover pulled out of this game because of illness, the Maroons became unbackable favourites. But under threat of a coup at board level, and inspired by the vigour of their captain Paddy O'Brien, the Navy Blues played hard, skilful football in front of their home crowd to thrash the League leaders by eight goals.

O’Brien played with aggression from the first bounce. He ran through Fitzroy’s Brian Cosgrove in the first quarter, sending him off the ground. Then he skittled Cosgrove’s roving partner Tom Corrigan in the second term, and the determined Blues answered every challenge by Fitzroy from that point on.

The turnaround may have had something to do with a new captain. This was Paddy O'Brien's first game as captain for the Blues, replacing Horrie Clover. The Football Record of the time said "Horrie Clover's illness will prevent him playing for a long time. He has sent in his resignation as captain, and Pat O'Brien will be elected leader of the side, with McLatchie his vice" - Football Record, July 5, 1924.

After Carlton had lost five consecutive matches in 1924, a reform group issued pamphlets to members. The Blues reply was to overwhelm the leaders, Fitzroy, who were up to then undefeated with eight wins. Carlton ran up 15.14 (104) to 8.8 (56) at Princes Park, and club members tore up their pamphlets and trampled them in the mud. - Football Record.

At the end of this round Carlton were in 8th spot on the ladder with a percentage of 96.1.